A 1-0 win v Newcastle shoots Arsenal back into first place on the Premier League table, but Manchester City has a game in hand. The Gunners play Fulham on May 2nd, while City will play Everton on May 4th.

The team played well on Saturday. Even though the goals were limited to just one, the Gunners had three other solid shots on goal. Eventually, those close calls will begin to go in. It’s the law of averages. Right? Let’s hope so.

Congrats to Mikel Arteta and his squad as they overcame a lot of outside pressure during the last few weeks to get the three points. From this point one, the focus, the determination and the gut desire they showed on Saturday needs to continue for every second of every remaining match.

Next up: Atletico Madrid in Spain for the 1st leg of the Champions League Semifinals!

COYG!

Gunner1953

The Gunners can put some pressure on Manchester City if Mikel Arteta’s team can win their next two league matches. Man City does not play back in the Premier League until May 4th. Those two wins would give the Gunners a 6 point lead over City, with Arsenal having two less matches to play.

With that said, Arsenal will also have its hands full on Saturday. Newcastle United will be no easy task, so it’s all hands on deck for this match at the Emirates this weekend.

Here’s my predicted Arsenal starting XI…

[4-3-3]

Trossard, Gyokeres, Saka

Rice, Odegaard, Zubimendi

Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Mosquera

Raya

Predicted final score: ARSENAL 2 – Newcastle United 0

The talk is over, it’s time for action.

COYG!

Gunner1953

This is the case as Arsenal has dropped into second place on the Premier League table behind Manchester City. Both teams have 21 wins, 7 draws and 5 defeats. They also have a common goal differential of +37. So why does City lead the league? Well, they have scored 3 more goals in league play than the Gunners.

So, it will be a real horse race to the finish. Every match and every goal could, and probably will, determine which club lifts the trophy on May 24th.

Man City has shown vulnerability, but so has Arsenal, especially in April. Which team can handle the pressure better, and which team will play like they deserve the title? Those are the questions to be answered.

Pep Guardiola has a FA Cup semifinal at hand, while Mikel Arteta has a Champions League semifinal to play. Both clubs will need to split time between competitions during their preparations for the Premier League run-ins. The more difficult tie faces Arsenal.

Will Arsenal finish second in the league for a 4th consecutive year? If so, will Arteta’s job be on the line?

And, can Guardiola lead his club to winning their 6th Premier League crown in the last 8 seasons, and could City possibly win three trophies this season?

These are questions we really didn’t even consider a few weeks ago. It seems the loss to City in the Carabao Cup Final really put the Gunners into a deep funk. The team has only one win since then, scoring only four goals.

The wins and the goals need to come. There can be no excuses, no let downs and no lack of aggressiveness.

It’s either do or die. Period!

COYG!

Gunner1953

Arsene Wenger – I believe that Arsenal will win the Premier League this season. I deeply believe it. It looks to me, like common sense. I liked Eze, Odegaard, Havertz and Madueke’s attacking intent at the Etihad. Manchester City will not make the perfect run-in.

Gary Neville – If Mikel Arteta falls short again and ends this season without a trophy, then he has to be sacked.

Roy Keane – I don’t care. I am going to stick with Arsenal. Of course, I am going to stick with them.

David Raya – I think it is an opportunity to show what team we are and what we’re capable of, so we just have to take advantage of the opportunity.

Mikel Arteta – The opportunity is unbelievable. We have an incredible opportunity ahead of us. Let’s confront it. Let’s go for it by really putting absolutely everything into it.

I am very proud to say I am a huge Arsenal fan, but, without sounding too pessimistic are the Gunners only the second best team in the Premier League? Even if there is a miracle finish to be found, this question would still remain.

Simply put, Manchester City has not lost to Arsenal in the three matches they have played against each other this season. City has 2 wins, 1 draw and no losses. Arsenal has no wins, 1 draw and 2 losses.

To be recognized as the the best, you have to beat the best.

On Wednesday, Manchester City will likely claim the top spot on the Premier League table. They play play Championship-bound Burnley.

So, why has it come to this? Well, Arsenal has given away points during the season they should never have dropped. Just look at the results. It’s as plain as day.

It’s now the time to be self critical and take a strong inward look at themselves. No talk, just action.

Yes, the Gunners had their chances on Sunday, and yes there were some questionable referee decisions by Michael Oliver, but at the end of the day chances and poor officiating doesn’t count, only balls in the back of the net count.

What’s the old saying, “close but no cigar?”

So, here we are. Going into the weekend, Arsenal and Manchester City will each have five matches remaining to be played in the league.

Arsenal will have Newcastle United (H), Fulham (H), West Ham United (A), Burnley (H) and Crystal Palace (A).

City will face Everton (A), Brentford (H), Bournemouth (A), Crystal Palace (H) and Aston Villa (H).

It looks like City will have the tougher run-in schedule. There is still a chance. There is still hope, but man do the Gunners need to play better and get some big-time help as well.

Let’s remain positive, and hope the football gods give us some help along the way.

Gunner1953

City holds so many advantages over Arsenal both historically and statistically going into Sunday. There are so many we won’t even begin to go there.

However, fot the Gunners, this match is the chance to show the football world who is the new king of the Premier League. An Arsenal win lower’s the Gunners magic number to 10.

Yes, Sunday is very important.

Below is my predicted starting XI v City. It looks like both Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke will be sidelines with injuries, so will Max Dowman get a start in this massive game? Probably not, but he will see the pitch as a substitute in the second half.

[4-3-2-1]

Gyokeres

Martinelli, Trossard

Rice, Havertz, Zubimendi

Hincapie, Gabriel, Saliba, Mosquera

Raya

Final Score: Manchester City 1 – ARSENAL 1

COYG!

Gunner1953